Well the Chicago Cubs didn’t start things off on the right foot in Milwaukee as they dropped a 4-3 contest late Friday afternoon. Closer Kevin Gregg gave up the game winning hit for the second time already this season and the Cubs dropped to 2-2 on the season.

Rickie Weeks tied the game up in the ninth inning off of Gregg when he doubled over the head of Alfonso Soriano that allowed Chris Duffy to tie the game at 3-3. Weeks then made it to third base on a wild pitch by Gregg and later scored on a fielders choice by Ryan Braun. Ryan Theriot attempted an off balanced throw to homeplate when he could have possibly turned a double play to get out of the innings. It’s hard to tell if he would have been able to turn it, but it would have been a smarter play then throwing home off balanced.

The blown save and loss by Gregg takes away what would have been a win for Rich Harden. Harden threw six innings and struck out ten batters. His only blemish in the game was giving up a solo home run to Corey Hart. The Brewers other run off of Harden came in the first inning when they took advantage of an error by Theriot. For the game, Harden only allowed three hits and the two runs to score.

The Cubs once again lacked offensive scoring even though they out hit the Brew crew nine to four. The rbi producers just aren’t doing their job. All three of the Cubs runs came via the home run ball as Milton Bradley went deep for a solo shot and Koyie Hill had a two run shot. Derrek Lee went 0 for 4 as he continues to struggle at the plate.

Hopefully the team will bounce back and even up the series on Saturday. I’m unsure if I’ll be able to blog about the game tomorrow or not since it is the Easter weekend and we have some family coming into town. Hopefully I will have an update up, if not expect one on Sunday.

Everyone have a safe and happy Easter!

**Photo via AP/Jim Prisching**

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The Cubs came out swinging on Wednesday night as they scored eight runs in the first two innings and knocked out Astros starting pitcher Brian Moehler after just 1.2 innings. Five of the first six batters reached via singles in the first inning when the team scored four runs. Milton Bradley was the only one not to get a hit but he reached base via a walk. It was a great way to start off the game and eventually the Cubs would win 11-6.

It was a pretty good offensive night for the Cubs up and down the lineup. Mike Fontenot and Aramis Ramirez both finished the night with four RBI while Kosuke Fukudome had four hits and a solo home run. Fontenot had a big three run homer in the second inning that gave the Cubs an eight run lead at the time.

Derrek Lee and Ryan Theriot also had an RBI each in the game.

I guess you could say the one downside of the game was the pitching staff. Starting pitcher Ted Lilly gave up four home runs and eight hits. Lilly did throw five innings to pick up the victory but he sure got lucky that the Astros didn’t have more runners on base when he gave up the home runs. Lilly did do his job and that was to throw strikes so I’m not really worried about the start. When you are spotted a big lead like he had, his job is to get outs and not worry about giving up the long ball or letting a couple of runs score. Make them put the ball in play, just hope it doesn’t go over the fence lol!

David Patton made his big league debut and was welcome to the Major Leagues by Hunter Pence who took him deep for a home run. After the home run Patton was able to settle down and and get the next three batters out.

Carlos Marmol and Angel Guzman finish up the final two innings as they held off any rally by the Astros.

It was a good series for the Cubs as they nearly swept the Astros on the road. I’ll take two out of three every road trip that’s for sure! The team will have an off day on Thursday and then begin a three game set with the rivals up North in Milwaukee.

**Photo via AP/Pat Sullivan**

Well the Cubs aren’t going to go undefeated in 2009 as they lost the second game of the season on Tuesday night to the Houston Astros. Neal Cotts gave up back to back singles to open the 10th inning and then Kevin Gregg was called upon to get the Cubs out of the inning but that isn’t how things turned out. Gregg was able to get Jason Michaels out on a fly ball to center but both runners tagged up. First base was open and the Cubs elected to intentionally walk Miguel Tejada which brought Jeff Keppinger to the plate. Keppinger ended the game when he singled to left field and Ivan Rodriguez scored.

The Cubs just didn’t have the offense going as they struggled early on against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez. As a team they only had six hits in the game. Ryan Theriot led the team with two hits while Alfonso Soriano had a solo home run. Soriano’s shot to left field in the 8th inning tied the game up at 2-2. Derrek Lee had the other rbi for the Cubs when he singled in Theriot in the 3rd inning.

I thought starting pitcher Ryan Dempster threw the ball good for his first outing of the season. He went six innings while only giving up six hits and two runs. He did walk three batters however and struck out five.

Angel Guzman did a great job in the seventh inning as he didn’t allow a hit. The only base runner for the Astros in the 7th inning was Kaz Matsui who reached on an error by Theriot. Koyie Hill picked Theriot up when he gunned down Matsui who attempted to steal second base however.

Hill was in the game because Geovany Soto left the game in the sixth inning with soreness in his right shoulder. Soto said that he should be back in a few days as he just needs to keep up on his exercises which help out his shoulder.

The Cubs and Astros will finish up the three game series Wednesday night. It will be Ted Lilly on the mound for the Cubs and Brian Moehler for the Astros.

Photo via AP/Pat Sullivan